What animal would kill a kitten but not eat it?

This is a bit of a tricky question! Here's why, and some possible answers:

* Predatory Instinct: Many animals kill prey, even if they don't always eat it. This could be due to:

* Practice: Young predators might kill small animals to hone their hunting skills.

* Defense: Some animals kill to protect their territory or young.

* Hunger: Even if an animal is not starving, it might kill if the opportunity presents itself.

Possible Animals:

* Larger Cats: A larger cat like a bobcat or mountain lion might kill a kitten as a threat or for practice, but not necessarily eat it.

* Coyotes: Similar to cats, coyotes might kill a kitten as part of their hunting instinct.

* Snakes: Some snakes are known to kill prey larger than they can swallow.

Important Note: It's crucial to remember that any animal can be dangerous, and even the smallest kitten can be prey to a larger animal.

Let me know if you'd like to explore more about predator-prey dynamics!